No experience, no real funding and no real plan.

There wasn’t a grey hair amongst them, no experience on a multi million dollar historical rehab, a recipe for disaster.

Mr. Issa’s problem, he does not take advise, he knows it all, and he never deals straight with people.

Let’s not be desperate for Downtown development.

A recent study conducted by CBRE shows us in a positive light compared to our peers.

Take a look around, I complement our local groups, rehab of the old Fed building, new condos, housing downtown….

These are the groups we should bet on, the people who live, work and raise their children here!

Handouts, as were mentioned are not usually grants or free money, study the Empire Zone system, it does work

John Regis made a personal fortune by robbing his shareholders. Regis is a convicted criminal. Regis undermined legitimate enterprise.

Bashar, on the other hand didn’t make a fortune – he lost one. He accepted risk in legitimate enterprise.

I admire people who have the courage to take a big risk on the merits of their own vision. We can argue all day about the details and timing of a failed business plan, but a man’s honor is not being questioned. Win, lose, or draw, there is nothing disgraceful about investing in a positive vision for downtown Buffalo.

Consider the challenges and difficulties of managing:
(1)A personal financial crises that extends around the globe.
(2)Managing the complexities of the Statler project crises amid a national credit crises.
(3)Managing a collection of bankrupt semi-completed large projects in the UK during an international financial crisis.
(4)Managing genuine legal problems that include a worker death in the UK.
(5)Being cut-off from all financing, even from the Bank Of Mom And Pop.

Heck, having one mad tenant who called a hearing about some dusty floors isn’t too bad at all!

I am beginning to respect Mr.Issa even more so after having the opportunity to observe him navigate rough seas. Remember, the strength of a metal is tested by reaching its point of failure. As businessmen, our strength is both tested and work-hardened only during the most stressful times. If Bashar survives, he will emerge as a battle-hardened monster! He actually needs this experience in order to ultimately achieve his ambitions. I actually explained this to him back when he was doing fine.

It amazes me how functional the Statler has remained throughout this tumult. Out of all of Bashar Issa’s world projects, I suspect that Buffalo Statler could wind up being the only survivor. Someday Bashar Issa may be chairman of Buffalo Old Home Days.

According to what I read in the paper yesterday, he paid all his bills except his city property tax and one vendor who he is disputing the bill with.

So what if he’s taking some time to reorganize and straighten out his bills? Isn’t that what all of us are supposed to be doing right now?

I haven’t seen Bashar asking anyone for a government bail-out. If it were easy, we would all own downtown buildings.